The successful outcome is even more special because I have an unreliable oven. This keeps the crust from crumbling when you slice it. Hi Marita, That's a great tip about the flour. I am delighted to hear that you and your family like my Brown Bread, and it means so much to me that you gave it a try. This recipe uses a combination of wholemeal and white flour. I always thought it was stuff used just for making graham crackers and pie crusts. Have you seen the Dan Barber talk on wheat? Hi Carol! Shape it into a ball and place it in the pot or on the baking sheet. We'd grown accustomed to having a slice with afternoon coffee, with big Irish breakfasts, and for dunking in soup. I've just done one with 1 T. molasses and 1 cup WW to 3 cups white flour. Form a ball on a floured surface. The only difference as youll see later is that my loaves were a bit lighter in color and using standard whole-wheat flour produced a nice loaf, although different from one using Irish flour. Bake the bread for a total of about 55 minutes, reducing the heat after 10 minutes. I have never actually measured my loaf; I would definitely try flattening it out a bit. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. I'm happy that you liked it! Wholemeal tastes better freshly ground. King Arthur Explore Our Tools. I hope this helps! I will certainly try it with some baking powder for a little variation but I will skip the sugar. Add the butter and work in with your fingers until fully incorporated and there are no lumps larger than a pea. Ethnicspoon.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It sounds like you were as smitten with the Brown Bread as we were! In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking soda, and salt. My loafs are super flat! Discovering restaurants, tasting bakery treats, finding inspiration in new flavors and regional specialtiesno wonder Nancy loves being a Taste of Home Community Cook and a food and travel writer. Honey-Bunches, you had me at the word, bread! Ty! Thanks again for always providing new recipes to try; I really enjoy it. Special Savings. Thank you so much Maggie! I'm wondering if I need to flatten my ball a little. of water is a little less than 10 oz., a cup and a half, 12 oz. Super good, especially given how little work it is. By Nancy Mock February 28, 2022 Updated January 11, 2023 86 Comments. Pour 150ml of water into a small bowl and stir in the molasses, then crumble in the fresh yeast, stirring a couple of times. Slinte! thank you so much for this recipe. It was simple, actually fun to make, and resulted in a pleasant discussion of Ireland by way of a delicious wedge of wholesome Irish bread--slathered, of course. I think its the better flour than the highly commercial products, but I can be wrong. It might give you some butter flavor in the bread, but again, you can just get that by spreading butter on the slices. Tightly wrap leftover bread and use it within 2-3 days. This recipe uses stone-ground wheat flour, which is easier to find in the U.S. from producers like Bobs Red Mill. English Muffin Mix and Ring Set $31.80 It is coarser than flour and finer than semoule that would be used for couscous : In UK it was not overly difficult to get good bread in the 2000th but before it was nigh impossible. I used their metric conversions, not mine, and can correct it if you let me know what is wrong. Thank you for making my recipe, and for this comment which really made my day. (It was baked completely without being burnt or dried out. 40% of 30g = 12g, Therefore 2 1/2 teaspoons. Recipe Instructions To mix the dough: Mix all of the ingredients together, using the smaller amount of flour. I love Irish soda bread, but this isnt soda bread. Add buttermilk and stir with rubber spatula until all flour is moistened and dough forms soft, ragged mass. Thank you so much for sharing this - Ill have to try the Cork version of brown bread soon! The bread made with standard whole-wheat flour was just fine, but certainly not as good as the other one. Thanks Lou Lou! Anne and LaurenC: Thanks for your feedback. However it was the best Irish brown bread I have ever eaten. Reading your comment made me realize I'm getting low on Odlums - I'll have to order more today and get more bread in the oven! All advice welcome (and I will be looking for real Irish whole meal flour.). I recently purchased a mill and have been using it for pain au levain and cookies. Step 2: Mix the Guinness Soda Bread Batter After tasting Brown Bread on our first day in Ireland we were so happy to find it everywhere we stopped, and each version just a little different with the individual baker's own take on the recipe. Wow, that's so cool! One cup is the equivalent of 120-125 grams. Your email address will not be published. Copyright 2023 Website managed by SiteCare.com. Most recipes and foods have been adapted for the various countries and kitchens theyre prepared in, and you should feel free to do the same with this one. I had to use KAF whole wheat flour which isnt coarse, but it still worked out beautifully. Re coarse ground wholemeal, one solution is to buy a very reasonably priced and indestructible grain grinder from the German firm Jupiter Getreidemuehle with a choice of a stone or steel mechanism. I pretty much lived on brown bread when we visited Ireland years ago! People with less resources favored brown bread since it cost less to make. Im glad to have this tested version of the bread, have been trying to recreate it with mixed results! Irish brown bread is a quick bread, or a soda bread, because buttermilk and baking soda enable the rise - not yeast. Do you make Brown Bread often for your family? Well have to start exporting flour to you. Eventually I would convert it to a scone recipe, adding caraway seeds, orange zest and a pinch of cinnamon.) Would allow for a nice crust I think. I have heard from other readers that they've substituted a blend of whole wheat flour and wheat germ when they couldn't find Irish wholemeal. Thanks, David! Beards version doesnt have any white flour and more salt(too much salt really). I have made this bread several times now, and each time, it does not cook completely through the center. I do not recommend a food processor, but a stand mixer. Then add quarter mug hot water mixed with 2 tsp bread soda (baking soda). I found some info on dry yeast substitutions from the San Francisco Baking Institute: to sub dry yeast for 30 grams fresh yeast use 40% ( as home kitchen temperatures are not as hot as commercial ones ) 30 g = 6 teaspoons Enjoy your week also. Tim told me that this bread was invented because they wanted to come up with a simple loaf of bread that anybody could make, one that was simple to put together, as well as being wholesome and nutritious. Another idea, although I have never done this, is to make two loaves. Maybe I should have been a bakerbut would probably be very chubby. I tried working with yeast a few times in the past and the results were not good so I have given up trying to make yeasted breads. You can see the texture here. In a small mixing bowl, pour warm water over the raisins. It is amazingly informative and inspiring, as are all his talks, and I think youd love it! Please do write back and tell me how this bread turns out for you. I made this bread last week and it was so delicious. I just returned from my first trip in IrelandI was in Galway, Kinvara, and Connemara. I am excited to make this recipe thanks so much for sharing it and all the explanations it is so helpful! It's perfect with breakfast, as a mid-afternoon snack or to whet the appetite for dinner. This is another post I had to postpone or I wd have needed another breakfast. The bread is best eaten fresh, smeared with lots of good butter, or toasted for breakfast, with jam and butter. Add to Cart The item has been added. I think with much less sugar it will be perfect. I did have a question about the recipe. Let stand 10 minutes. Blend together the stone-ground wheat flour, all-purpose flour, wheat germ, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. I love that you've been experimenting with the recipe, and very happy to hear that it has become your go-to recipe. I see in another comment you say 2. And you too can have fresh bread on the table whenever you want, no matter where you are. How would this work with whole spelt flour? Cut a deep cross over the top of the dough. Thank you very much not only for trying my brown bread, but for saving the recipe to make again. While the sugar included here only makes the bead very mildly sweet, the answer is yes: you can absolutely reduce or skip the sugar altogether if you prefer. It will form a round loaf about 8 inches in diameter. Home Recipes Dishes & Beverages Breads, Rolls & Pastries Bread Recipes. What a beautiful country! Your first comment under Notes re-preparing ahead of time were a little confusing (prob my fault!). I will make this often, thank you David!! Thanks for commenting! Once we were back home, we really missed those rustic slices. My family has made Irish Soda bread for years, but I think it has been Americanized over the generations. Today I tried your recipe for brown soda bread and my family and I have not stopped eating it since it came out of the oven. Makes a very moist brown bread (or brown cake as some call it). Tracey and Kae: Apologies for those. I'm drooling right now. There was also a huge amount of salt in it, and I wasnt sure if it had been transcribed wrong or what. If you are into authentic Irish drinks them you will want to check out the recipe and history ofIrish coffee and another interesting warm hot toddy like libation, theScailtin or Irish whiskey milk punch. Just measure out 1-1/2 tablespoons of white vinegar, then add enough regular milk to make 1-1/2 cups. Thank you! I have bits of my loaf from there still frozen; I cant bear to finish it! Although the loaf looked very like yours, it was heavy, felt gluey in my mouth and tasted bland. For the working class and poor in Ireland in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, soda breads were an inexpensive and nutritious food that households could rely upon to help feed their families. I thought it would rise. Ingredients Vegetable oil spray, for the loaf pan And although Ive been told by Irish readers that real brown bread is never made with sugar (and that Americans eat too much of it!) Always interesting to see how much of a dish is down to technique and how much is down to specific local ingredients. Mix all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. You can also freeze the bread; wrap it very well and seal tightly in a freezer bag to protect the flavor and texture. David, thank you for including the closest French ingredients, especially the type of flour. It is one of those breads you can bake during the covid yeast shortage that needs no yeast! Place the pot or baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. We are so thrilled to have you at our party. I am so glad you and your family enjoyed the fresh baked Irish brown bread! Whole wheat pastry flour will make a moist loaf with fine crumb; Irish-Style Flour, a more traditional open-textured, drier loaf. All rights reserved. As an aside, i will make sure I stop by. Traditional brown soda isn't sweet. Most important is, of course, the butter thickly spread on top. By cutting into the bread, the heat will be able to penetrate it and thus allow the center to cook well. How to Make Irish Brown Bread Step 1: Preheat and Prep Start by preheating the oven then grease and line a pullman loaf pan or a standard 1 pound loaf pan with parchment paper cut to fit the pan. Butter 8 x 4 inch loaf pan. I am always impressed by how much you put into your posts research, testing, detailed descriptions, humor, photos, and then even answering questions and comments in detail. Sunday was white toast a real treat we thought then. This loaf gets a lot of attention around St. Patrick's Day! The crispy crust and the melt in the mouth middle. Stock Up Now. In any case, I appreciate that you're willing to try my recipe with our without the sugar - I hope you will write again and let me know what you think of it! at: but my pans and oven were different and had very ____________ results. You can also just bake it on a flat baking sheet. In the restaurant kitchen at Ballymaloe House, the chef arrives at6am to get the bread started, and pulls the loaves out by the time the first guests arrive in the dining room for breakfast around 8am. Im passionate about weighing. Especially spread with a bit of French cultured butter and some flaky salt. Honestly, bread and butter, what could be better? Posted by: Helen B. You are the luckiest guy in the world to have exposure to all the fine food that you taste and bake! Im surprised at the responses for it being too sweet. Kerrygold Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food & Wine, Sweet Lemon (bergamot or Meyer lemon) Marmalade, (see headnote and note after the recipe, for instructions using active dry or instant yeast - I use 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast when not using fresh yeast). In the meantime mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Organic Medium Rye Flour . Happy baking! Mix thoroughly all the dry ingredients. I find that it's a nice level of subtle sweetness that complements the wheatiness of the loaf. Ive made the Beard bread for years, most recently using Bobs Red Mill stone ground whole wheat flour, which is terrific. Thanks for choosing my Brown Bread to make for this event, you'll have to write again and let me know how it goes! I have been searching for the best brown bread recipe since my return. I agree with you, it definitely sustained us and we had it with nearly every meal! Dust with all-purpose flour, tapping out excess. But, I think Ill try again with this recipe. I didnt have buttermilk so added some lime juice and it worked a treat. In fact, Irish Brown Bread is a type of soda bread, with no yeast at all. Thanks. Find Nancys writing and recipes at her website: Hungry Enough To Eat Six. Thanks, Nancy, I. I know you'll be tempted to start munching on this bread as soon as it comes out of the oven. Use a sharp knife to cut a cross in the top of the dough, then to poke a small hole in each corner of the bread (to let the fairies out). Press down on the ball until it is about 2 inches thick. I could include it in the post. Happy St Patricks day! 2023 Jump to:Step by step photosFrequently Asked QuestionsIrish Brown Bread Recipe. I like to bake my Irish Brown Bread in a cast-iron Dutch oven because it gives it a taller, rounder shape. I am using only stoneground flours from a local mill, its not more expensive surprisingly. It was excellent, better than other soda bread recipes Ive tried. All that said, the spirit of this loaf is that its something that anyone can make at home, so dont fret. We didn't get to see Kerry Way or Killarney, but maybe on our next trip. You have to bake it until you get that hollow sound and this can vary by flour type, humidity, oven temp etc. Ha how many others thought this was a SODA bread? Place the loaf back in a preheated oven at 350 F for 10-20 minutes. Slinte! I grew up in Ireland and the bread is definitely not this sweet. I can taste that bread. I hope this helps for the next time you make it. Those dense, complex-tasting loaves have just a few ingredients, so it's key to use flour that imparts flavor and texture. That recipe was mostly whole wheat/buttermilk/baking soda. Bastible Bread, its called, and made in a cast iron skillet. Our site contains affiliate links to help maintain our publishing activities. Whether at a pub or restaurant, Irish brown bread was always present. For lunch made an open faced sandwich. We visited Ireland a few years ago and my most favorite part of their breakfasts was the brown bread, unlike any bread Id ever tasted. And I appreciate hearing the feedback about the measurements. Put the dough in the oven and bake it for 10 minutesthen reduce the heat to 375 and bake the bread for 40 minutes longer. Add more buttermilk as needed. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=bd5526af-9c84-429a-baca-e1c4e1072ef9&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "bd5526af-9c84-429a-baca-e1c4e1072ef9" }).render("7917806a0d7f4109a1cb2a4492c81a1a"); }); Adapted from my Irish brown bread recipe at Hungry Enough To Eat Six, this makes one loaf that serves 10-12 people. Im curious if its similar in texture to the KA Irish wholemeal flour I guess Ill try it in this recipe and see! Which is why he calls it a brown yeast bread, not a soda bread :). Hello! Sometimes I will read the title of your recipe and find it hmm ok its just bread but by the time I am done reading the post I have two bags of Irish wheat flour and molasses in my Amazon cart and the recipe is pinned + boomarked. Hungry Enough To Eat Six is comfort food and baking inspiration! During our visit to Ireland, my family and I fell in love with Irish brown bread: a simple, rustic loaf with a crunchy crust, soft interior and rich wheat flavor. The craggy top and moist crumb beg to be pulled apart and eaten at all hours of the day, especially when slathered with salted butter. We visited Ireland a few years ago and when the smell of the baking bread hit me, wow! Being French, I am passionate about bread. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, buttermilk powder, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Search our products, recipes, blog posts, and more. Mix in the walnuts. Put in greased loaf tin or dish and bake at 180 Celsius till a skewer inserted comes out dry (could be up to an hour), Bernadette, you are so generous to share this with me - thank you! My husband is Irish and his favourite thing is wheaten bread, as he calls it. Thanks! I visited their website and saw a lovely selection of whole-wheat (or wholemeal, as they call them) flours, but wanted to pinpoint which one. Lol. Ballymaloekindly packed me up some of the flour that they use, so I had that, and I headed to my local natural food store to get regular whole wheat flour (T150, in France) to do a side-by-side comparison, which Ill get to in a minute. Bake the bread for approximately 40 minutes, or until it tests done (a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center will come out clean). Thank you so much, it's wonderful to hear from you! Can we make this bread in a loaf tin? It's so creamy, yummm! (If using standard whole-wheat flour, the dough will be sticky, and rather wet.) Hi! Thank you again, -N. With regard to the crust being crunchier than expected, I learned a tip from my granny in Ireland. Hi Denise, I hope you liked my posts about our visits to Donegal, Inishmore, Clifden, Dublin, and Castlemaine. Coat your hands with flour and gently knead to form a soft dough. I don't normally add sugar or baking powder when I make soda bread but I must hand it to you, it makes a huge difference. People forget the Blarney Stone and spend your time at Ballymaloe. Thanks so much for this information. Coarse and less refined wheat flours were the most affordable and were used to make brown soda breads like this recipe. There are a few different wholemeal flowers we use, there is wheaten which is more finely milled and then the rougher wholemeals. It's no wonder that, once back home, we really missed this Irish bread!